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COVID-19: IoD prescribes remedies for businesses
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has advised businesses to develop immunity through strategic capacity development for the new normal till the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
This it said must be coupled with a cultural shift, mindset change, behavioural change and a robust change management process including effective communication with major stakeholders as an imperative if businesses must survive.
The IoD made these recommendations in a communiqué issued in Accra yesterday after a meeting with some companies’ board chairs.
The meeting chaired by Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi sought to undertake a situational analysis of the present predicament within the context of Ghanaian businesses.
It recommended to businesses to focus on short-term survival strategies till September 2020, allowing another 18 months for the dust to settle whilst keeping tabs on global reactions.
“Employers should develop good relationships with their employees and give employees information on the actual status of the business to avoid unreasonable demands leading to minimising the risk of layoffs. Businesses should seek labour experts on account of the high potential for future redundancies and layoffs,” the communiqué said.
It said “There must be professionalism in dealing with the psychological effects on both internal and external stakeholders. Businesses should begin to consider a broader range of skills in candidates who desire to sit on boards.”
“Current board members must also be trained. Training content must be informed by sector specific business continuity plans, periodic reviews of which will also address both present and future gaps including underlying risks and unexpected disruptions.
Businesses must bear in mind that the various projections for the development of a vaccine for the corona virus are uncertain, drawing lessons from previous outbreaks like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, SARS, MERS, TB etc,” the communiqué said.
This the communiqué said called for adaptability regarding business plans, creation of operational environments with minimal contacts, plan for all types of risks bearing in mind the effects of depreciation of demand and the way forward.
“Businesses should uphold high standards in health and safety protocols starting from the board. This may include reducing to the barest minimum board member contacts on account of the inherent danger of exposure, reduction in routine and regular board physical meetings and considerations to new approaches to conversations to factor in procedural arrangements,” it said.
The communiqué also asked businesses should conduct COVID-19 impact assessments on their sectors and operations, document strategic mitigation and survival methodologies and ensure sustainable implementation.
“Board agenda should begin to change considerably from the traditional pathways with a keen focus on business robustness and sustainability with risk management as a very critical ingredient. IoD-Gh considers these positions as strategically relevant to the Ghanaian business survival and growth in this era of COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.
This engagement is the first in a series of planned interactions among Chairs of Boards.
The Institute of Directors-Ghana (IoD-Gh) is a professional institution, which was registered in 1999 to promote the culture of good corporate governance through training, consultancy, research, and advocacy.
Its mandate is to advance and institutionalise the culture of sound corporate governance and competent leadership in Ghana.
BY TIMES REPORTER
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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